Eritteillä

Eritteillä is a Finnish term that translates to "on sick leave" or "off sick" in English. It is a common administrative and legal status used in Finland to denote that an individual is temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. When an employee is eritteillä, they are typically entitled to receive sickness benefits from Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, or their employer, depending on the duration and specific terms of their employment contract and collective bargaining agreements.

The process for being declared eritteillä usually involves a doctor's assessment and the issuance of a medical certificate. This certificate is then submitted to the employer, who formally registers the employee's status. The duration of sick leave can vary widely, from a few days to several months, or even longer in cases of serious or chronic illness. During this period, the employee is expected to focus on their recovery and is generally protected from termination of employment based solely on their absence due to illness, within legal limits. The concept of eritteillä is a fundamental part of the Finnish social security system, ensuring that individuals are supported while they are incapacitated and cannot fulfill their work responsibilities.